§ 20-3. Underground installation of electric and telephone lines in new developments.

(a)

All permanent electric and telephone lines and all other communication circuits and services as defined in the National Electrical Code shall be placed underground when installed in the following areas or when installed for the following types of customers:

(1)

In all new residential subdivisions.

(2)

To all new multiple dwellings.

(3)

To all new commercial or industrial developments.

All owners, platters, or developers of the types of developments listed above, as well as utility companies serving said developments are responsible for complying with the requirements of this section and, prior to the final approval of any plat or development plan, shall submit to the planning and zoning commission a written statement from the appropriate utility companies showing that all necessary arrangements with said companies for underground installation of such utilities have been made. All underground work shall be completed prior to street surfacing.

(b)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the repair, maintenance, reconstruction, replacement, or modification of existing overhead utility lines.

(c)

The requirements of this section shall apply unless the city council specifically shall find, after study and recommendation by the planning and zoning commission, that:

(1)

The placing of utilities underground would not be feasible as demonstrated by the utility company, because of unknown service demands, or technically not practicable.

(2)

The placing of utilities underground would not be compatible with the planned, existing, or surrounding development.

(3)

The additional cost of undergrounding such utilities would create an undue financial hardship; or

(4)

Topographical, soil, or any other conditions make the underground installation unreasonable or impractical.

(Code 1985, §§ 1116.01—1116.03)